On the day of his induction into the new Hershey Bears Hockey Club Hall of Fame, Ralph Keller recalled the first time he drove into Derry Twp. in 1963 after making a 2,500-mile trip from his hometown of Wilkie, Saskatchewan.

“I see a sign: Hershey, Pennsylvania, 4,400 people population,” the 77-year-old Keller said. “I'm thinking, What am I doing here? I played in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Providence, New York, Vancouver – all big cities. And here I'm coming to a town with 4,400 people.

“It was the best 12 years I ever had. I loved it when I came.”

Keller, Hershey's all-time leader in points (408) and games played (737) by a defenseman, was inducted into the club's inaugural Hall of Fame class of seven during pregame ceremonies at Wednesday night's Bears-Norfolk Admirals game at Giant Center.

“I thought things were over for me in Hershey when I had that night and they retired my number [No. 8],” said Nykoluk, 77, Hershey's all-time leader in games played (972), points (808) and assists (636). “I thought there could never be anything better than that for a hockey player. And I found out there are better things for a hockey player. And this is the greatest place in the world to have that happen for me.”

Mathers, Blinco, Fausnacht and Sollenberger all were inducted posthumously. Mathers, the most towering figure in Bears history, was associated with the club as a player, head coach and executive from 1956 until his retirement in 1991.

“I am just absolutely ecstatic that I got to be here with Willie and Ralph and Mike,” said J.D. Mathers, Mathers' son. “I'm so sorry Frank Mathers couldn't be here, because he would have been just so happy. He's absolutely here in spirit. Absolutely 100-percent here in spirit and smiling.

“The places he could have gone and the things he could have done, none of them meant more to him than being right here in Hershey.”

Marshall, 80, is the AHL's all-time leading scorer (1,375 points) and ranks No. 5 in Hershey history (570 points). He said winning consecutive Calder Cups in 1957-58 and 1958-59 and winning the John B. Sollenberger Trophy as the AHL's leading scorer in 1957-58 rank among his top Bears memories.

“I call it the gold standard of the American League,” Marshall said of Hershey.

Sollenberger was credited with introducing hockey to Hershey in 1931 and helped found the first Hershey B'ars Hockey Club in 1932. He led the Bears into what is now the AHL in 1938-39 and served as the club's general manager until 1949.

Blinco was associated with the franchise that ultimately became the Bears from 1932 until his retirement in 1973. Blinco played for the inaugural Hershey B'ars team in 1932-33, coached the Hershey Cubs in the Eastern Amateur Hockey League in 1938-39 and served as Bears president and general manager from 1949-73.

Fausnacht served as an AHL linesman for 23 years and as an AHL goal judge for 26 years.

The club's first induction, part of the celebration of the Bears' 75th anniversary AHL season, took place on the 76th anniversary of the opening of Hersheypark Arena.

“Truthfully, it's quite emotional,” Bears President-GM Doug Yingst said. “It's a long time coming, a long time planning. Not only do these inductees deserve it, but I think our fans deserve it even more.

“It's something that should be recognized in this the 75th anniversary season. I wish we could have done it at Hersheypark Arena. It's a special night for special people; that includes our fans.”

Renowned hockey broadcaster Mike “Doc” Emrick, who was friends with Mathers, flew in from his home in Michigan to emcee the ceremonies.

“For me to be here and to be watching these seven guys get their medallions, that's pretty special,” Emrick said.

The inductees also were honored at a luncheon Wednesday afternoon at The Hotel Hershey.

“I worked my heart out every game,” Keller said. “I feel that I deserved it, but I was with good teams and I have records to back it up. But my emotions – I talk to people from home and it's hard not to break down because I feel that great about the honor.